Pilot deliberately crashes small plane in the Netherlands

A pilot deliberately crashed a small plane in the Netherlands, according to officials. The individual died in the impact.

The crash happened shortly after 8:30 a.m. near Middelburg, a city in the southwestern Dutch province of Zeeland, when the light aircraft went down next to the A58 highway between the village of Ritthem and Middelburg, according to ANP, the Netherlands’ national news agency.

Police told ANP they are working on the assumption that the pilot intentionally brought down the aircraft. The pilot was the only person on board and died in the crash.

A police spokesperson said engine trouble has not been completely excluded, but said there is enough reason at this point to conclude that it was likely not behind the crash.

According to ANP, the plane had taken off from Midden-Zeeland Airport, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the crash site. Emergency crews responded in large numbers after passers-by reported that the aircraft had crashed next to the highway.

The pilot was not immediately identified. The circumstances remains under investigation.